Isle Of Palms Magazine Summer/Fall 2018

12 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.com half-and-half for her coffee that morning. When a trip to the grocery store for one item becomes complicated by things like the timing of the ferry and the weather, island residents are quick to offer each other a helping hand. “I’m busier here than when I lived on the mainland,” said Alicia Reilly, a mother of two of the four children who live on the island. Not only do they have their regular friends in East Cooper, but many other youngsters vacation at Dewees annually and have become good friends over the years. There are daily nature activities for all ages, from crabbing to seining, turtle treks, bird- watching, photography and more. Clubs, environmental and social committees are other ways residents get involved. “No day is the same,” Reilly continued. “Sometimes you’re helping rescue a sea turtle and others you’re helping a neighbor whose golf cart broke down or listening to a naturalist talk about how hurricanes affect barrier islands.” Her two boys, she said, love riding the ferry and keep up the same social life that they would in town; it just requires more planning. Residents respect nature on the island and are like- minded in the importance of preserving all forms of it – alligators, deer, snakes, mud daubers, spiders, birds, turtles and more. They are part of a delicately balanced ecosystem on the island, and those who reside there embrace it. A resident naturalist and crew of interns live on Dewees and help run many of the nature programs. On our trip, we heard an alligator bellowing nearby, and another resident took a picture of him a few minutes later sunning himself on a dock built specifically for that reptilian pastime in one of the lakes. While I was in heaven, I imagine the reality of potentially dangerous animals roaming freely is not everyone’s heaven. The logistics of living on the island ironically complicate things in the name of simple island living. Everything you need has to get to the island somehow, from groceries to furniture and more. It also has to have a way to leave the island, so composting and proper disposal of garbage to limit the nuisance of rats and raccoons is an everyday necessity. The island is set up with emergency services for fire and medical and has its own water- treatment system. On the ride back, I got to speak with more residents. They agreed the hourly ferry ride is somewhat of a complication in everyday life on the island but said you get used to planning for it. They have to be careful about when they buy cold or frozen groceries and how much they want to haul. The ferry also doesn’t run in dangerous weather or fog, so, on occasion, life off-island has to wait. Islanders had mixed feelings on the nighttime experience on Dewees; there are no streetlights, and residents try to keep things dark outside for the safety of the sea turtles. Some said nighttime can be a bit spooky when the sun goes down if you have to drive your golf cart in the dark – not knowing what animals might be lurking in the shadows. However, others find that part exciting; they love the abundance of stars and nocturnal creatures that can be seen and heard. Dewees Island is paradise for those who love all things nature and who enjoy living on island time – accepting a little more work and planning for the tradeoff of a simpler life in a nature preserve. I already want to go back! [ Feature ] Photo by Judy Drew Fairchild. Photo by Claudia de Mayo. Photo by Claudia de Mayo.